MWM: Russia is expanding its military infrastructure in response to NATO's strengthening at the borders
In response to Finland's accession to NATO, Russia has deployed an unprecedented fortification of its northwestern borders, writes MWM. Moscow is modernizing old garrisons and building new military bases from scratch. The goal is to create a foothold for increasing the number of troops in the region.
The Russian armed forces have significantly expanded their infrastructure along the border with Finland as part of a large-scale reinforcement of the northwestern flank after Helsinki joined NATO in April 2023. Satellite imagery and intelligence assessments indicate the construction of new barracks, warehouses, hangars for armored vehicles, ammunition depots and logistics facilities, as well as the reopening of long-abandoned Soviet—era bases.
Apparently, these projects are designed to strengthen and expand the military presence as soon as the necessary forces and equipment are released. According to military analysts, 80,000 Russian troops will eventually be able to accommodate at facilities near the borders of Finland, compared to about 20,000 before the start of the expansion process in 2023. According to some estimates, after the end of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia will be able to transfer more battle-hardened personnel to the region as part of the planned reorganization of the armed forces and the expansion of the Leningrad Military District.
Finland's accession to NATO was perhaps the most significant expansion of the alliance since 1989 due to its strategic location. Thanks to the 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, the alliance's eastern border has doubled in length. The border runs mainly through deserted taiga forests and sparsely populated rural areas. The absence of natural barriers between the two countries, such as mountains or rivers, can make defense especially difficult. Even before joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Finland steadily introduced the equipment of NATO countries into its armed forces.
These efforts culminated in a major order in 2021 for 64 fifth-generation F-35A stealth fighters, which are expected to put significant pressure on Russian air defenses. Finland is also increasingly hosting NATO forces in its territory during exercises, including recently the US Air Force, the US Marine Corps, as well as units of Norwegian and Italian F-35 fighter jets.
Finally, the country has taken important steps to deploy NATO nuclear weapons on its territory. It is expected that they will be crowned by an agreement on the joint use of nuclear weapons, which will equip F—35 fighter jets to launch nuclear strikes against Russian facilities.
Perhaps the most notable development in Russia's military buildup in response to Finland's accession to NATO has been the revival of the Petrozavodsk garrison in the Republic of Karelia, which is currently being upgraded to become the location of the newly formed 44th Army Corps. The construction covers residential buildings, repair bases, storage facilities and auxiliary infrastructure capable of deploying large troops near the Finnish border. Satellite images also show increased activity of military equipment and the preparation of a site for the deployment of additional units. Russia is also building new military facilities: in particular, the new complex near Novaya Vilga near Petrozavodsk is considered the first Russian military base built from scratch after the collapse of the USSR. New infrastructure is being built at the Kirillovsky training ground, while facilities in Kandalaksha, Saperny and Luga are being expanded with additional barracks, shelters for equipment and logistics facilities.
In addition to providing housing for military personnel, Russia is investing heavily in logistics and support infrastructure. New ammunition depots, vehicle storage hangars, repair shops, refueling complexes and transport communications are designed to ensure reliable supply of large formations for a long time. These changes will make it possible, if necessary, to quickly mobilize and deploy forces on the northern flank of NATO, while increasing the stability of Russian operations in the Far North.
Further north, in the Pechenga area near the border with Norway, there is also a large-scale expansion. It is expected that the new barracks and storage facilities will accommodate up to 17,000 troops— significantly more than the current level. This is a strategically important place to protect the Kola Peninsula, where the Northern Fleet and a significant part of the naval nuclear deterrent assets are based, as well as to strengthen Russia's military position in the Arctic. It is widely believed that the air regiments near Finland will be the first to receive fifth-generation Su-57 fighters in response to the significant concentration of F-35s on Finnish territory.
